Medicare automatically renews each year — you do not have to reapply

Your Medicare coverage continues from year to year without you having to reapply or submit new paperwork. Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), those parts renew automatically on January 1 each year. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or prescription drug coverage (Part D), those also renew automatically — but the plan you are in may change, and your costs will likely change, which is why you need to pay attention during open enrollment.

The confusion usually comes from the fact that while your coverage renews on its own, you have a window each year to make changes if you want to. Missing that window means you are locked into your current plan for another year, and switching outside that time is difficult and limited. The window is called the Annual Enrollment Period, and it runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) renews automatically every January 1 with no action required on your part.
  • Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans also renew automatically, but your plan's costs and coverage may change each year.
  • You can make changes to your coverage only during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) each year.
  • If you do not make changes during open enrollment, you stay in your current plan for the full next year.
  • Life changes like moving, losing other insurance, or turning 65 may open a Special Enrollment Period outside the regular window.

What happens automatically on January 1

On January 1 of each year, your Medicare coverage renews. If you are in Original Medicare, your Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance continue without interruption. You do not receive a new card, do not need to sign anything, and do not need to contact Medicare. Your existing card remains valid.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D), those also renew on January 1. However, the plan itself may have changed — the company may have raised premiums, changed which doctors are in the network, or altered which drugs are covered. You will receive notices in the mail starting in September that explain what is changing in your plan for the next year. Reading these notices is important because they tell you whether your costs are going up or whether your doctor is still in the plan.

The Annual Enrollment Period and when you can make changes

Every year from October 15 to December 7, you can change your Medicare coverage. This is the only time most people can switch plans. During this window, you can:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
  • Change which Medicare Advantage plan you are in
  • Add, drop, or switch prescription drug coverage
  • Switch from one prescription drug plan to another

Any changes you make during this period take effect on January 1 of the following year. If you do nothing during the Annual Enrollment Period, your current coverage straightforward continues into the next year with whatever changes the plan has made to its premiums and coverage.

What to watch for in the notices you receive

Starting in September, Medicare and your insurance company will mail you notices about your coverage for the coming year. The most important document is the Annual Notice of Change, which your current plan must send you. This notice tells you what is changing — whether your premium is going up, whether your deductible is changing, and whether there are changes to your coverage.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will also receive a document called the Evidence of Coverage, which lists which doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network for the next year. If your primary care doctor is no longer in the network, that is a signal you may want to switch plans during the enrollment period.

For prescription drug coverage, look for the Formulary — the list of drugs your plan covers. If a medication you take regularly is no longer on the formulary, or if it has moved to a higher cost tier, you may want to switch to a different drug plan.

Special Enrollment Periods: when you can change plans outside the regular window

If certain life events happen to you, you may be able to make changes to your Medicare coverage outside the October 15 to December 7 window. These are called Special Enrollment Periods, and they last 60 days from the date of the may have access to event. You must contact Medicare or your plan directly to request the change — it does not happen automatically.

may have access to events include losing other health insurance, moving out of your plan's service area, getting married or divorced, having a significant drop in income, or becoming may be able to access for Extra Help (a program that helps pay for prescription drugs). If you experience one of these events, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) within 60 days to ask whether you can make a change.

What happens if you miss the enrollment period

If the Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7 and you have not made any changes, you are locked into your current plan for the entire next year. You cannot switch plans, add coverage, or drop coverage until the next October 15 arrives — with very limited exceptions.

The only way out is a Special Enrollment Period, which requires a may have access to life event. straightforward changing your mind or finding a better plan is not enough. This is why it is important to review your coverage each September and October, even if you think you are happy with your current plan. Costs and networks change every year, and waiting until January to realize your doctor is no longer covered means you are stuck for 12 months.

How to review your coverage and make changes

In September, set aside time to read the notices Medicare and your plan send you. Look specifically at whether your premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum are changing. If you take prescription drugs, check whether they are still covered and at what cost tier.

You can also use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare plans in your area. Enter your zip code, the drugs you take, and the doctors you see, and the tool will show you which plans cover them and what your costs would be. You can access this tool anytime, but it is most useful during the enrollment period when you are actually considering a change.

To make a change during the Annual Enrollment Period, you can enroll online at Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact the plan directly. Changes made by December 7 take effect on January 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to keep my Medicare coverage active?

No. Your coverage renews automatically on January 1 each year. You do not need to reapply, submit paperwork, or contact Medicare. Your existing card remains valid. The only action required is if you want to make changes to your coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period.

What if I do not receive the notices about my coverage changes?

Call your insurance company or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to request the notices be sent again. You can also log into your account at Medicare.gov to view your coverage information. Do not assume nothing has changed — plans change their costs and networks every year, and you need to know what is different.

Can I switch plans in January if I do not like my new coverage?

No, not unless you have a may have access to life event. Once January 1 arrives and the Annual Enrollment Period has ended, you are locked into your plan for the full year. This is why reviewing your options in October and November is so important — it is your only chance to make changes without a special circumstance.

What if my doctor leaves my Medicare Advantage plan's network?

If your doctor leaves the network after you have enrolled, you may be able to request a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans. Contact your plan or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to explain the situation. You will need to provide the date your doctor left the network.

Do I need to renew my prescription drug coverage separately?

No. If you have standalone Part D coverage, it renews automatically on January 1 along with the rest of your Medicare. However, you can make changes to your drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period if your current plan's costs or formulary are changing in a way that affects you.